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Trae Waynes | Cornerback

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Rotoworld's Evan Silva graded the Vikings' draft as an "A-" effort.

"[Trae] Waynes and [Eric] Kendricks hit major needs and project as Opening Day starters," he wrote. "[Danielle] Hunter is a high-ceiling developmental pick. [T.J.] Clemmings has an outside chance to supplant struggling LT Matt Kalil in time, assuming his foot checks out." Silva also liked Day 3 lottery tickets Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt, Maryland WR Stefon Diggs and Oklahoma OT Tyrus Thompson. ESPN's Mel Kiper gave the Vikings a "B." "The Vikes hit needs pretty well, and if Waynes cleans up aspects of his game, they might have really helped the defense with him and Kendricks," he wrote. "Good draft, but Waynes still has some 'we'll see' aspects." Sun, May 3, 2015 11:08:00 PM

Defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer has his bookend for Xavier Rhodes. Waynes (6'0/186) made 27 starts at MSU, amassing 13 pass breakups, six interceptions and four tackles for loss. He allowed just one touchdown pass in 2014, and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten pick. Wayne confirmed his explosive athleticism at the Combine, blazing 4.31 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. Wayne has some stiffness in the hips and committed too many penalties in college, but he excels in press-man coverage and is a sure tackler. Waynes may lack elite No. 1 corner upside, but is the draft's most NFL-ready cornerback. Thu, Apr 30, 2015 09:21:00 PM

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "is not really big" and "is not a great tackler," according to ESPN NFL Insider Jon Gruden.

"When they throw a bubble screen and a man tries to block you, you have to be able to grab that receiver around the sternum with another hand on his biceps," Gruden said. "You have to be able to get rid of that block and make that tackle. When I watch some of the long runs against Michigan State, you know whose fault it is a lot of the time? It is the corners' fault." Gruden has levied the exact same criticism at several other DBs in this class, including fellow presumed Round 1 pick CB Kevin Johnson. "Waynes should use that 4.3 speed because he has it," Gruden said. "I want to see it on the running plays. I want to see it on every play. Because we are talking about a first-round draft choice. I'm looking for a man who can do it all." Waynes has also been criticized for not being a fluid mover. Thu, Apr 30, 2015 07:05:00 PM

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes is "the best [CB] by a long shot" and "everything you want in a corner," an anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"The only concern is he's a little slight," another scout said. "He's 6-0 and moves like he's 5-9. He's got the slender hips and thighs. So the same thing you knock him on is really the reason he moves as well as he does." This is the reason Pro Football Focus doesn't like him: Waynes' 20-yard shuttle (4.39 seconds) was slower than his 40 time (4.31) and that "poor change-of-direction ability was evident on tape." For that reason, a third scout said the scheme Waynes lands in is crucial: "He's always going to struggle in off (coverage) because he doesn't have good enough weight transition. You just press him and run." Thu, Apr 30, 2015 05:47:00 PM